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As Singer's Last Wish, 'I Touch Myself' Is Beautifully Reborn in a Breast Cancer PSA

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 04/15/2014 - 14:23

Here's something I never thought I'd say: I just got weepy listening to "I Touch Myself" by the Divinyls.  In an incredibly touching tribute to the group's frontwoman, Chrissy Amphlett, some of Australia's top singers have recorded a largely acapella version for a video encouraging women to self-examine their breasts for lumps.  Amphlett, one of the most shockingly sexual pop artists of the 1990s, died from breast cancer on April 21, 2013.

Miller High Life Celebrates Slumming It in Style With 'I Am Rich' Campaign

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 04/15/2014 - 13:41

Miller High Life would like you to meet Rich, the least interesting man in the world. The champagne of beers, absent on national TV since 2012, is returning to the airwaves Monday with a new campaign from Leo Burnett, themed "I am Rich." The concept, on its face, is that you don't need lots of money, or fancy drinks, to be happy. More subtly, it's also a dog-whistle shot at Dos Equis: You don't need to be an international man of mystery to have a rewarding life.

Marionette Wives Feel Pretty Insecure in an Age of Wireless DirecTV

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 04/15/2014 - 12:34

If DirecTV is trying to position its Wireless Genie Mini device as a high-tech toy for doofy bros who view women as puppets—mission accomplished! Perhaps that's a tad harsh or too literal. Still, there's something unnerving about these new ads from Grey New York, directed by Bryan Buckley, featuring a life-size blonde marionette. In one ad, she struggles with her wires while pouring lemonade for a pair of DirecTV-lovin' dudes. In a second spot, our heroine dangles from the bedroom ceiling in a sexy negligee, concerned her human beau is more attracted to DirecTV.

Agency Stages the Most Charming Car Wreck Ever in an Ad for Chamomile Tea

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 04/15/2014 - 12:00

IDEA: TV commercials frozen in time, with a camera moving through and surveying the scene, have an undeniable charm and style. Even the horror of Philips' ultra-violent "Carousel" spot was rendered beautiful that way. Now, we have an ad from Italy that's much smaller and quieter but in some ways no less magical—a journey in a single take through the stillness of a family living room, where some sort of accident has apparently taken place.

Brands Need to Stop Trying to Play Hero

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 04/15/2014 - 10:09

Illustration: Miguel Montaner Did you ever know that you’re not my hero? There. It had to be said (or sung). Consider this amusing yet pertinent disconnect in the spirit of helping brands with positioning. One of the biggest mistakes brands make in storytelling is to play the role of the hero. Today we must make consumers the hero while we get better at being their mentor. Why the shift? What’s making the brand-as-hero approach less effective? Consumers. They’ve become more sophisticated, resourceful and now have higher expectations.

Cops Aren't There to Check Your Balls for You, Cancer PSA Reminds Guys

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 04/14/2014 - 23:06

In every sense, testicular care is a delicate matter. So while it can be a bit weird and uncomfortable to feel yourself up every so often, nonprofit Testicular Cancer Canada makes the point that it's each guy's job—and no one else's—to check his balls for lumps. In addition to reminding us that this is no role for police and mechanics to play, the ad also makes a really good case for why we should be glad it isn't.

Lawmakers Pressure the FDA to Regulate E-Cigs With New Report

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 04/14/2014 - 20:06

A group of 11 Democratic lawmakers in Congress are hoping their new report on e-cigarette marketing will motivate the Food and Drug Administration to move quickly to regulate e-cigarettes the same way it regulates all tobacco. The 43-page report—Gateway to addiction? A survey of popular electronic cigarette manufacturers and marketing to youth—concludes that e-cigarette marketing, currently unregulated, is preying on kids and teens. It was based on information provided by eight e-cigarette companies as part of an investigation launched by the lawmakers last September.

Crispin Porter + Bogusky Taps Ralph Watson for CCO Role in Boulder

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 04/14/2014 - 19:44

MDC Partners' Crispin Porter + Bogusky has named Ralph Watson chief creative officer for its Boulder office. His hire follows the departure of the agency’s worldwide CCO, Rob Reilly, in December and Crispin's announcement that its creative department would be restructured to have “increased autonomy” at its offices. “Giving more autonomy to our creative leadership has really allowed our creative departments to gain momentum,” said CEO Andrew Keller in a statement.